Cuba (1999)
by Cuba Paris

The opening is unquestionable Bergamot, it overwhelms the Lavender by a mile, but that strong Bergamot note is fleeting, ephemereal and let the Lavender raise his head momentarily to join the floral Jasmin, and again, a very short lived heart to let the woods come in full splendor, first a strong Sandalwood with the Cedar developing more slowly to a glorious woody base with hints of Vetiver, Jasmin and Lavender. Definitely a woods scent with flowery nuances that unfortunately develops too fast and in less of half hour you are well in the drydown. If you like Sandalwood, you will love it.
Sillage and longevity are poor, but it is cheap and good smelling. Had it developed slower and lasted a little bit longer it would have gotten my thumbs up, but due to its poor longevity the best it can do is neutral.

3rd October, 2010.

The bergamot and lavender that opens Cuba is similar to a dozen other fragrances with the opening — it has that creamy lavender note that I am not very fond of, but that’s just a personal prejudice of mine and this one is done as well as most. The nature of that particular lavender note is usually very tenacious, and it hangs on into the middle notes where it joins the vetiver and jasmine: Granted, it is much better than the bergamot lavender combination. The base is the best part of the fragrance as far as I’m concerned. It is a good solid wood accord — cedar and sandalwood — which is sweetened with a bit of musk and tonka, I think. This is a well-done fragrance that offers a lot of quality for the price…it’s just not the kind of fragrance that I particularly like.

25th December, 2007. (Last Edited: 9th April, 2008.)